My definition for “discipline” is “simply deciding between what you want now versus what you want more.”  We want to get in shape but we want that donut now.  We want to have a closer walk with God but we want to get on social media now.  We want to have a better marriage but we are too busy watching our favorite TV show now.   So many of us have uphill hopes but downhill habits.  This series is designed specifically to help you connect your uphill hopes with uphill habits.   Let’s review and then continue our series! Over the last number...

This week we continue sharing “Four Biblical Habits” that will radically change your life, but first let's review. Focus on firsts (Matt. 6:33). Four “First” Facets: What you do first reveals who you are. Whatever you prize you will prioritize. Whatever you put first you set up to meet your needs. First things have power Then we shared Three “First” Formulas: Give God the first of your month…scheduling and budgeting Give God the first of your week…worshipping and resting Give God the first of your day…studying and praying “Three Alignment Aspects”: If God is simply on your list, your life will be misaligned....

Over the last number of months we have shared with you “8 Habit Helpers”: Hope is not a strategy (Heb. 6:19).   The things we do and the things we should do don’t always line up (Rom. 7:19). The two greatest gaps in life are “wanting and having” and “knowing and doing”.  If you’ll close the second gap, the first gap will automatically close. We are what we repeatedly do.   We form our habits then our habits form us. Always point your saying, sowing and serving in the same direction. Always point your mouth, money and ministry...

At 56 years old, I am still a very competitive guy!  One of my pastoral attendants is an ex-professional boxer.  He too is very competitive. A few years back I decided to do one thousand push-ups in one day.  I told him about it and he decided to beat that total. I believe he did 1100 in a day. Well, you think the U.S. and China trade war is bad…the push-up war was on! Our contest escalated all the way up to 3,000 push-ups in one day!  He then did 3,100 and even though he could just about be my son…his...

As you know we have been sharing our “Four Biblical Habits” that will radically change your life: Focus on firsts (Matt. 6:33). Four “First” Facets: What you do first reveals who you are. Whatever you prize you will prioritize. Whatever you put first you set up to meet your needs. First things have power Last week we began sharing with you Three “First” Formulas: Give God the first of your month…scheduling and budgeting This week we continue with...

A few years ago I was caught in an oceanic rip current.  I was almost instantly shot out into the ocean about 75 yards from the shore!  I am a very good swimmer (I used to be a lifeguard when I was a young man) and I did not panic and knew exactly what to do.  In a rip current, you cannot swim against the current or you will exhaust yourself and eventually drown. You have to cut across it. So I did just that and swam to shore but I must admit, I was pretty tired by the time I...

The first of each month we share First Tuesday's Teaching Tips. These are teaching nuggets from over thirty years in ministry. This month we highlight the area of : Leadership One of a leader's biggest assignments is to get and give perspective If you don't know where you're going, you'll end up somewhere else. You must be able to focus on and rally around the team's vision. Focus will enhance your ability to execute. If you are a leader that has followers, you'll have limits. If you are a leader that has leaders, you'll have no limits. ~from Winning with Wisdom volume 1...